French special envoy meets DPRK FM

2009-11-10 18:39 BJT

French President Nicolas Sarkozy's special envoy to the DPRK Jack Lang held talks with the country's foreign minister Pak Ui Chun in Pyongyang.

Jack Lang will spend five days there sounding out the possibility of establishing diplomatic ties. Lang says he will try to raise the issue of the DPRK's nuclear program during his discussions.

The appointment of an envoy represents Sarkozy's bid to raise his country's diplomatic profile and mark another spot on the globe where France has influence.

However, Paris wants to see an end to Pyongyang's nuclear programme and an improvement in human rights before establishing ties.